The important thing to keep in mind with relaxers is that you need to find the right product to suit your type of hair. Not all black hair styles are coarse or rough in texture, nor ever crinkly or curly. So using a gentler product on softer black hair or loose curls is best. Additionally a point to be remembered is that unless properly applied in the right way and quantities you can be subject to scalp burn or even badly damaging your hair – defeating your main objective of looking good.

By and large, the product known as ‘Affirm’ seems to be high on user lists with many positive and valuable effects to be observed. It is popularly used in salons where the cream is applied for relaxing and conditioning of the hair during all three stages – the pre perm, during perm and post perm. Avlon sells the product in several types of formula ranging from one for a sensitive scalps, another for itchy and dry scalps, and two regular formulas called control and original.

The control and original versions are mild in strength and operation, while faster working stylists tend to use the original formula and the slower ones favour the control type. The Avlon Fibreguard line Affirm is not habitually sold to individuals. A professional should and will always perform a hair strand test prior to using this, or any other relaxer on a customer. Indeed it is essential that instructions given on the pack should be carefully followed and the relaxer not left longer than the directed time on the hair.

If you are the more adventurous type and would rather do-it-yourself at home than pay a high price at a salon for your hair relaxing, there are a range of over-the-counter box home kit relaxers available. You can easily pick out what seems most suited for your experimentation and eventual decision on the best product for your own particular type and texture of black hair.

Although it must be stated that experts strongly suggest that you use a relaxer under advice or even preferably have your relaxing done in a salon by a professionally trained person, rather than venture to try out these varieties of products at home on your own steam.

The ultimate secret behind the actual workings of relaxers on hair is that - in actual effect it breaks down, changes the structure and weakens the hair. It is by this breaking down and weakening process that the hair is compelled to relax. On the pH scale relaxers rank at a very high level of causticity and destroy the bonds that provide strength to hair.

Additional to having weaker than natural hair when you relax your hair, you also rob the scalp of the natural oils known as sebum which provide much needed lubrication. If improperly applied in such a scenario, a relaxer could do untold damage to both scalp and hair.

On the other hand, when handled by a professional who will not only make the application with necessary care and caution, but will also give you the right advice on proper after care and maintenance, there is absolutely no reason why you hair cannot be healthy even if you do use relaxers.

This is why it is imperative that you consider seeking professional assistance when relaxing your hair – after all you don’t want to end up with a limp and lifeless head of hair in your golden years!